This is a hard subject for me to talk about which is probably why it has taken me this long to post my experience.
I contacted Kool Alaskan Malamutes almost 4 years ago about a puppy. My phone calls were return promptly by Pat Kool and I felt comfortable asking my many, many questions. Most of my concerns were around temperament. I was reassured on numerous occasions that Kool puppies were well socialized with adults, children and other malamutes. After a few conversations my family decided to purchase a puppy from Pat. A deposit was sent it with a balance due at the time of pick-up.
While I was told I could pick her up at 6 weeks, I wanted to wait until Kyra was 9 weeks old. I wanted her to have that extra bonding time with her mother and socialization with her other litter-mates. From the phone calls I had with Pat, I envisioned sitting down with her (on the day I came to pick up my baby), watching Kyra play with Pat's children, reviewing paperwork, etc. I was sadly mistaken.
I arrived at their house at the end of March. I was met by her children outside (I was not allowed in her home). They asked for my money (I had cash, they had no change which took a bit of time to work out it was snowing and we were still outside). There was a shack to the right of where we were standing. I was told Kyra was the last puppy to go home; Pat's son went to the shack and brought Kyra to me. She was covered in feces. I asked if I could meet her mother, assuming she was in the shack as well. I was told they would have to get her from another area. I was appalled to learn that Kyra had been alone for the last week as her littermates had all gone and since her mother no longer wanted to nurse (they) moved her. All I wanted to do at that point was get out of there. About an hour into my 6.5 hour drive home I had to stop at a PetSmart to have Kyra bathed. She was dirty and smelled vile. It was heart-breaking.
I began making a scrapbook for Kyra putting everything I could think of in it (therefore this report can be verified with email correspondence, pictures, phone records though that was not the purpose). Per the contract, in order to have Kyra's AKC papers submitted I needed to have her on a certain quality of food (proof was required) and have her spay no later than 8 months. If this was not done, we would not receive any paperwork with proof of her lineage. June 20 (age 5 months) we had her spayed. 2 weeks later, we sent in documents from the vet and receipts of food. 2 weeks later, I called to follow up with Pat. She stated she did not receive anything in the mail. After several phone calls back and forth, I decided to scan and email the information to her. Again, after several phone call back and forth I received an excuse for Pat not getting the information. This time, it was because she could not open the email attachments. After some additional phone calls I decided to have the documents sent via certified mail. I still have the confirmation receipt. When she got the certified letter in the mail, she called me to inform me the documents were received post the 8 month deadline stated in the contract and that I was no longer entitled to Kyra's papers.
I was frustrated by her attitude and confused as to why she would be behaving in such a manner. I did not purse the matter further, however, as Kyra was a pet and since I had no intentions of showing her, papers weren't necessary. I just found it odd that she would say such a thing, knowing I had been trying to get the info to her for 2 or 3 months.
Kyra's puppy months were fine though she was more aggressive and dominant that I had expected based on my conversations with Pat. Kyra went to obedience school and we kept a tight hand on her at all times. We could monitor her moods by her posture. She was also very vocal. She growled when she didn't like something; she growled as a puppy, often. When she was playing with a bone or toy, my children would have to wear welding gloves to take the toy away. If they didn't, she would bite their hands.
By 16 months, she began giving us less signs of what she did and didn't like. She would snap at the children for no reason and/or try to correct anything that she deemed inappropriate. One day, she bit my son on the stomach when he was walking by her.
I called Pat. Though I wasn't asking her to, she stated immediately that she already had another dog she was trying to find a home for and she couldn't take Kyra back. I was so upset about what was going on with Kyra that I asked my husband to call Pat again for advice. After a few minutes of speaking Pat said, It makes sense that Kyra is aggressive. Her dad was aggressive too. (Sigh) At this point, I didn't know what I was dealing with since this information was so contrary to what she had said pre-money exchange.
I called my vet next to rule out any illness. He ran a series of blood test but also spent some time with her to assess what he thought was the issue. When the blood test came back, he asked us to come to his office again. He wanted to see Kyra before he made a recommendation. After spending another hour or so with her he informed us that we should have her put to sleep. He said she is just not wired right. Her eyes are vacant and she seemed more despondent to him than he thought was acceptable. He said, She will become more and more unpredictable.
I was devastated. I loved this dog that I was no longer able to control but knew she had the potential to hurt someone. I called an animal behaviorist and scheduled an appointment. The behaviorist met with Kyra for a little over an hour. She said, The bottom line is that you will never be able to trust this dog.
I can't begin to tell you the absolute gut wrenching devastation I was feeling. The rest of this story is irrelevant to this post. I am not here to sling mud, or make a mountain out of a mole hill. I am simply stating the facts as they happened to me. There is not one thing in my post that I can not back up with legal documents (again, I have phone records, voicemails, emails, vet bills, a report from the vet as well as the behaviorist.) Every professional I spoke with said Kyra's behavior was not learned. It had nothing to do with training. She was innately aggressive. That, sadly, goes back to the breeder.
I have not had Kyra for almost 2 years now yet not a day goes by that I don't think about how this experience has impacted my family.
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